New anti-spying law risks curbing freedom of Press, warn peers challenging National Security Bill
New anti-espionage bill threatens to curtail press freedom, warn colleagues challenging National Security Bill as it passes through parliament
- The National Security Bill puts journalists at risk of up to 14 years in prison
- The bill could deter insiders from coming forward, endangering press freedom
An anti-espionage law that could endanger press freedom is facing major challenges in parliament today.
The National Security Bill exposes journalists investigating serious scandals to prison for up to 14 years if their activities are deemed to aid foreign intelligence agencies.
It would also have the effect of deterring insiders from coming forward, it is feared, and mean that major stories, such as the Mail’s revelation of bullying and sexual harassment of women in the Royal Navy, would never see the light of day. to see.
Ministers insist that the media is not the intended target of the legislation and have tried to allay concerns by making it clear that reporters will not be targeted for ‘unknowingly’ aiding hostile states.
But politicians, lawyers and news publishers feel the changes don’t go far enough to protect the free press.
Lord Black has warned that the broad definitions used in the draft legislation could ‘potentially criminalize one of the core functions of journalism: reporting leaks’.
The National Security Bill would also deter insiders from coming forward, it is feared
Today, senior peers will launch efforts to ensure bona fide journalists are protected from the fallout of the bill, which aims to bring the Official Secrets Act into the age of hi-tech espionage.
One amendment will be tabled by media executive Lord Black of Brentwood and has strong cross-party support from Labour’s Lord Stevenson of Balmacara, Tory former leader of the Lords Baroness Stowell of Beeston and unaffiliated Lord Faulks, chair of the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
It would add to the bill the defense that “the person … acted with a view to publication of material by a licensed news publisher.”
Lord Black has warned that the broad definitions used in the draft legislation could ‘potentially criminalize one of the core functions of journalism: reporting leaks… about governments, organizations and companies’.
Baroness Stowell, chairman of the Lords’ communications committee, warned: “We must not legislate in a way that risks journalists failing to legitimately expose serious shortcomings or misdeeds by government or officials.”
Separately, Green Party colleague Baroness Jones van Moulsecoomb will seek to protect journalists by specifying that only those who follow orders from a foreign power may be prosecuted under the law.
Her amendment, signed by leading lawyer Lord Pannick KC, states that a crime will only take place ‘if the conduct … is provoked by or under the direction and control of a foreign power’. Downing Street said the changes will be carefully considered.
A spokesman for the Interior Ministry said: “We have a proud tradition in this country of upholding freedom of the press. It is indeed our duty to ensure that journalists can carry on their real activities, independent of government interference.’
“The National Security Bill is all about ensuring that our world-class law enforcement and security agencies have the tools and powers they need to address modern threats. The violations in the bill target harmful activities by states, not whistleblowers or public interest journalistic activities.”